Cessna 182D, Shar Air LLC, N9072X: Accident occurred July 22, 2016 in Hogansville, Troup County, Georgia

SHAR AIR LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N9072X

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Atlanta FSDO-11

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA387
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, July 22, 2016 in Hogansville, GA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/31/2016
Aircraft: CESSNA 182, registration: N9072X
Injuries: 2 Minor.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot reported that prior to the flight the fuel tanks were "topped off with fuel" and after being distracted, a second walk around the airplane was not properly conducted. The pilot further reported that after about an hour of flight the engine lost power and he was forced to maneuver for an emergency landing. During the emergency landing, the pilot reported that his initial approach was to an interstate, but due to thick traffic he made a turn towards a landfill and impacted terrain.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that after the impact the passenger received a telephone call from the departure airport fuel service attendant stating that the airplane's left fuel cap was on the airport ramp. During a postaccident examination by the pilot, it was revealed that the left fuel cap was missing.

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to replace the left fuel cap following the preflight inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a loss of engine power, an emergency landing, and impact with terrain.